District Attorney Public Safety Survey results released

Jan 9, 2025- The DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office has released the results of its bi-annual public opinion poll, providing valuable insights into community views on public safety in our county.

According to the results posted on the District Attorney’s office website, the survey shows strong approval for the District Attorney’s Office in key areas such as job performance, transparency, and community engagement.

“The survey serves as an important ‘measuring stick’ for our office, helping us assess how well we’re meeting the community’s expectations and identifying areas where we can improve,” said District Attorney Matthew Barton. “It also provides a clearer picture of the public safety challenges facing DeSoto County.” 

An overwhelming 77.6 percent of respondents believe the District Attorney’s Office is performing its duties well, which the news release said was a positive endorsement of the team’s efforts.

“I truly hope that our community feels that we care about their concerns and their safety,” Barton said. “We asked, ‘How do you feel about the work we’re doing?’ and our goal is to meet those expectations. These survey results are a reflection of what we’re doing right, but also a reminder of where we can do better.”

In terms of overall safety, 69.75 percent of respondents reported feeling safe living in DeSoto County. However, the survey also highlighted several key public safety concerns. 

Residents identified spillover crime from Memphis as a significant issue, with many indicating a need for more law enforcement officers to ensure a greater sense of security. 

The survey also revealed that 82.63 percent of respondents believe that local law enforcement agencies are doing a good job in protecting the community.

Users can view the full survey results here: https://desotomsda.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/DeSoto-County-Public-Safety-Survey-Report-2024.pdf